Combined standing bent sheet display

ABSTRACT

A display for a group of semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods has a base, and a pair of parallel sidewalls that extend upward from the base a spaced distance from each other that is smaller than the width of the sheet goods. A plurality of channels is fixed to each sidewall so that each channel is perpendicular to the base and points toward the other sidewall at a uniform inclined angle. The angle of the channels is such that one of the sheet goods can be received between opposing pairs of the channels when curved in an arc. This arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods ensures that the sheet goods will remain erect for an extended period of time while situated in the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims all available benefitfrom U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. No. 61/024,322 filed Jan. 29,2008, and Ser. No. 61/055,336 filed May 22, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to retail displays and particularly todisplays for semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods such as chair matsand floor mats.

Semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods such as chair mats and floor matspresent special challenges when it comes to presenting the goods in anattractive display that will also facilitate selection of the goods fromthe display by a purchaser. Desk chair mats for office and home use arewell known. Such chair mats can simply be rectangular or can have a mainportion on which the desk chair rolls, and a forward lip portion whichis adapted to extend partially under the desk well, and on which thefeet of the person sitting in the chair may rest. Desk chair mats whichare to be applied over carpeting typically have short protrusions, whichcan be relatively sharp spikes, on the undersides thereof that hold themats firmly in place on the carpet surface. Typical desk chair mats areof somewhat flexible, semi-rigid to semi-flaccid planar sheets of apolymeric material, such as vinyl plastic. If placed on edge, a typicaldesk chair mat will not remain upright, but instead will bend under itsown weight, which is typically ten pounds or more. Consequently,displays of desk chair mats, and other semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheetgoods present some special challenges.

This challenge is typically addressed by the use of a hanging displaythat suspends the goods from a top edge so that the weight of the goodsacts to maintain the goods in an essentially planar configuration. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,842 discloses several retail display standsthat generally include a pair of vertical standards that can be bracedby horizontal reinforcement rods and are supported on a pair of legassemblies. The leg assemblies include horizontal feet and verticalextensions that are telescoped within the lower ends of standards andsecured, if desired, by a conventional detent mechanism. One or morehorizontal display rods are fixed generally perpendicularly to thereinforcement rod. A number of hooks are fixed to depend from thedisplay rod to receive for display the chair mats or other sheet goodsof similar character. An advertising panel can be added between thestandards above the display rod. The goods can be suspended from thehooks in either a planar or folded conformation, the latter beingpreferred for sheet goods having large lateral dimension. The suspendedgoods can be removed from the hooks by a retail consumer with relativeease so long as they are capable of lifting the weight of the goods.While such displays operate quite satisfactorily in some locations, thedisplay may become unstable due to the weight of the goods if the loadon the display is not maintained in an essentially balanced presentationof the goods, which may prove to be difficult in some retail situations.This deficiency is not addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,694, although adifferent approach is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,112, which maypermit a balanced presentation of goods to be more easily achieved.

Despite the various features and benefits of the structures of theforgoing disclosures, there remains a need for a more stable display ofsemi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods such as chair mats and floormats. In particular, there remains a need for a display of such goodsthat provides for a floor-supported presentation rather than a suspendedpresentation so as to avoid any lack of stability arising from anunbalanced presentation of the goods, particularly due to the intrinsicweight of the goods, but the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid character of thegoods limits how the goods can be displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These several needs may be satisfied by a display for a group ofsemi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods of uniform width. The display hasa base that can be supported directly on a sales floor of a retailestablishment. The base can be designed for easy handling by aconventional fork lift. A pair of parallel sidewalls is fixed to extendupward from the base a spaced distance from each other that is smallerthan the width of the sheet goods. A plurality of channels is fixed toeach sidewall so that each channel is perpendicular to the base andpoints toward the other sidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle.The horizontal angle of the channels is such that one of the sheet goodscan be received between opposing pairs of the channels when curved in anarc, the ends of the arc being defined by the angle of the channels.This arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goodsensures that the sheet goods will remain erect for an extended period oftime while situated in the display.

A second set of channels can be fixed to each sidewall so that eachchannel is perpendicular to the base and points toward the othersidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle opposite that of thefirst set. The second set of channels can receive a second group of thesheet goods, which can be, but need not necessarily be, identical to thefirst set of sheet goods.

The display can have an arcuate first wall coupling the pair ofsidewalls to each other. The arcuate first wall can be coupled to thebase and to parallel edges of the sidewalls to form an outwardlyprotruding surface. The outwardly protruding surface of the arcuatefirst wall is particularly suitable for receiving advertising and brandname indicia. The arcuate first wall can also act to protect anyadjacent sheet goods from abrasion or other damage.

The display can have a second wall coupling the pair of sidewalls toeach other. The second wall can be coupled to parallel edges of thesidewalls at an opposite end of the sidewall from the arcuate firstwall. The second wall can also be arcuate and parallel to the arcuatefirst wall so that a plurality of the displays can be nested againsteach other to occupy as small a floor area as possible. Alternatively,the second wall can be arcuate and protrude outward in an opposite sensewith respect to the arcuate first wall so as to provide a second outersurface suitable for receiving advertising and brand name indicia.

At least one of the first and second walls can have a vertical dimensionthat is smaller than the vertical dimension of the sheet goods when thesheet goods are received between opposing pairs of the channels fixed tothe parallel sidewalls. This lower vertical dimension of at least one ofthe first and second walls provides a customer with visual contact withthe goods being displayed, and may facilitate the removal of the goodsfrom the display. The vertical dimension of the parallel sidewalls canbe, but is not required to be as great as the vertical dimension of thesheet goods situated in the display. The channels attached to theparallel sidewalls can be, but are not required to be, continuous froman upper margin of the sidewall to the base.

The base can include features that can assist in ensuring the arcuatepositioning of the sheet goods within the display. In particular, atleast one row of upwardly opening U-shaped supports can be positioned onthe base, each upwardly opening U-shaped support being adapted toreceive a lower edge of one of the sheet goods. The upwardly openingU-shaped supports can be fixed to the base. Alternatively, a pad can beincluded on the base that is deformable by the lower edges of the sheetgoods situated in the display to inhibit movement of the goods withinthe display.

For transport, the display can include a top that can be removed whenthe goods are ready for display. The top can be telescopically receivedover the display and goods. The top can be secured by staples,shrink-wrap, adhesives, or other fastening means. The top can include aplurality of channels similar to the channels fixed to the sidewalls ofthe display to inhibit movement of the goods during transport. The topcan additionally include other features such as a deformable pad on aninner surface of the top to further inhibit movement of the goods.

A display for semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods can take the formof a base with a pair of parallel sidewalls fixed to the base andextending vertically upward from the base. A plurality of members can befixed to each sidewall defining slots perpendicular to the base, witheach slot being dimensioned to receive one of the sheet goods when thegoods are curved in an arc, the curvature of the arc being defined bythe angle between the plurality of members and the sidewall. Theplurality of members can be arranged in two sets defining oppositelydirected arcs bowing outward from a center portion of the displaylocated midway between the parallel sidewalls. The display base caninclude a plurality of casters to permit the display to be easily movedinto a desired position for retail marketing.

Other features of the present invention and the corresponding advantagesof those features will become apparent from the following discussion ofthe preferred embodiments of the present invention, including the bestmode of practicing the present invention, which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarilyto scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principlesof the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top plan view of a floor-supported display for sheet goodsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top or cover that can be used in combinationwith a display of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another display of the present inventioncontaining a plurality of chair mats.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another display of the presentinvention containing a plurality of chair mats.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another display of the presentinvention containing a plurality of chair mats.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of again another display of the presentinvention containing a plurality of chair mats.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another display of the present inventionthat can be used as a shipping container.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top member of the display shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of yet another display of the presentinvention containing a plurality of chair mats.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the display shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the front of the display shown in FIGS.9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the back of the display shown in FIGS.9, 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the front of a further display of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the back of the display shown in FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front of still another display ofthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the back of the display shown in FIG.15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A floor-supported display 10 for sheet goods 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Thedisplay 10 has a base 14 that can be supported directly on a sales floorof a retail establishment. A pair of parallel sidewalls 16 and 18extends upward from the base 14. Some U-shaped channels 20 are fixed toeach sidewall 16 and 18 so that each channel 20 is perpendicular to thebase 14. The U-shaped channels 20 on each sidewall 16 and 18 open towardthe opposite sidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle α. Thehorizontal angle α of the U-shaped channels 20 is such that one of thesheet goods 12 can be received between opposing pairs of the U-shapedchannels 20 when curved in an arc as seen in FIG. 1. The linear distanceX between the sidewalls 16 and 18 is smaller than the width W of thesheet goods 12 measured along the arc. The curvature of the arc isdefined by the horizontal angle α of the U-shaped channels and the widthW of the sheet goods 12.

An arcuate first wall 22 can couple the pair of sidewalls 16 and 18 toeach other. The arcuate first wall 22 can be coupled to the base 14 andto parallel edges 24 and 26 of the sidewalls 16 and 18 to form anoutwardly protruding surface 28. The outwardly protruding surface 28 ofthe arcuate first wall 22 is particularly suitable for receivingadvertising and brand name indicia. A second wall 30 can couple theopposite parallel edges 32 and 34 of the sidewalls 16 and 18 to eachother. The second wall 30 can also be arcuate and parallel to thearcuate first wall 22. The arcuate walls 22 and 30 can act to protectany adjacent sheet goods 12 from abrasion or other damage.

The base 14 can include features 36 that can assist in ensuring thearcuate positioning of the sheet goods 12 within the display 10. Thefeatures 36 can take the form of a pad 38 that is deformable by thelower edges of the sheet goods 12 situated in the display 10.Alternatively, the pad 38 can be replaced by or augmented with at leastone row of upwardly opening U-shaped supports 40 positioned on the base14, each upwardly opening U-shaped support 40 being adapted to receive alower edge of one of the sheet goods 12.

A cover 42 is shown in FIG. 2 that can be at least partially fitted overthe display with the sheet goods 12 in the display. The cover 42 isshown to include a plurality of U-shaped channels 44 similar to theU-shaped channels 20 fixed to the sidewalls 16 and 18 of the display toinhibit movement of the goods during transport. The cover 42 includes atop 46 and curved walls 48 and 50 similar in position and function tothe arcuate walls 22 and 30 of the display 10. When the cover 42 issituated over the display 10, the cover 42 can be secured to the display10 by staples, shrink-wrap, adhesives, or other fastening means.

Another form of the display 10′ is shown in FIG. 3 that can beconsidered as two of the display units 10 as shown in FIG. 1 joinedtogether back-to-back. The display 10′ has a base 14 and a pair ofparallel sidewalls 16 and 18 extending upward from the base 14. SomeU-shaped channels 20 are fixed to each sidewall 16 and 18 so that eachchannel 20 is perpendicular to the base 14. The U-shaped channels 20 ona first portion 21 of each sidewall 16 and 18 open toward the oppositesidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle α, while on a secondportion 23 of each sidewall 16 and 18, the U-shaped channels open towardthe opposite sidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle −α. As inFIG. 1, the linear distance X between the sidewalls 16 and 18 is smallerthan the width W of the sheet goods 12 measured along the arc that thesheet goods assume in the display 10′. The curvature of the arc isdefined by the angle α at which the U-shaped channels are situated, andthe width W of the sheet goods 12.

The display 10′ has two outwardly protruding arcuate walls 22 coupled tothe opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and 18, which can be used foradvertising and brand name indicia. The arcuate walls 22 and the sidewalls 16 and 18 have a vertical dimension Y that is smaller than thevertical dimension H of the sheet goods 12 as shown in FIG. 3. Thislower vertical dimension of the walls 16, 18 and 22 provides a customerwith visual contact with the goods 12 being displayed, and mayfacilitate the removal of the goods 12 from the display 10′. Thisarcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods 12coupled with the perpendicular orientation of the channels 20 ensuresthat the sheet goods 12 can remain erect for an extended period of timewhile situated in the display 10′.

Another form of the display 100 is shown in FIG. 4 that is similar tothe display 10′ shown in FIG. 3. The display 100 can be made of sheetmetal and has a base 14 supported on a plurality of casters 52. A pairof parallel sidewalls 16 and 18 extending upward from the base 14. Thesidewalls 16 and 18 can include openings 54 and 56 to reduce the totalweight of the display 100. Some U-shaped channels 20 are fixed to thetop 58 and bottom 60 of each sidewall 16 and 18. The U-shaped channels20 are vertically aligned to be perpendicular to the base 14. As in FIG.3, the U-shaped channels 20 on a first portion 21 of each sidewall 16and 18 open toward the opposite sidewall at a uniform inclinedhorizontal angle α, while on a second portion 23 of each sidewall 16 and18, the U-shaped channels open toward the opposite sidewall at a uniforminclined horizontal angle −α. As in FIG. 1, the linear distance Xbetween the sidewalls 16 and 18 is smaller than the width W of the sheetgoods 12 measured along the arc that the sheet goods assume in thedisplay 100. The curvature of the arc is defined by the angle α at whichthe U-shaped channels are situated, and the width W of the sheet goods12.

The display 100 has two outwardly protruding arcuate walls 22 coupled tothe opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and 18 by a series of fasteners.The arcuate walls 22 can be used for advertising and brand name indiciaand can also include openings 62 and 64, which reduce the overall weightof the display 100. The openings 62 and 64 provide a customer withenhanced visual contact with the goods 12 being displayed, and upperopening 62 may facilitate the removal of the goods 12 from the display100. This arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheetgoods 12 coupled with the perpendicular orientation of the channels 20ensures that the sheet goods 12 can remain erect for an extended periodof time while situated in the display 100.

Another form of the display 200 is shown in FIG. 5 that is similar tothe display 10′ shown in FIG. 3 and display 100 shown in FIG. 4. Thedisplay 200 can be made of metal channels members 66 coupled togetherand adapted to receive sheets 68 of metal or plastic that help definethe parallel sidewalls 16 and 18 as well as the two outwardly protrudingarcuate walls 22 coupled to the opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and18. As in FIG. 5, the display 200 has a base 14 supported on a pluralityof casters 52. The parallel sidewalls 16 and 18 extending upward fromthe base 14. Some U-shaped channels 20 are fixed to the top channelmember 70 and bottom channel member 72 of each sidewall 16 and 18. TheU-shaped channels 20 are vertically aligned to be perpendicular to thebase 14.

As in FIGS. 3 and 4, the U-shaped channels 20 on a first portion 21 ofeach sidewall 16 and 18 open toward the opposite sidewall at a uniforminclined horizontal angle α, while on a second portion 23 of eachsidewall 16 and 18, the U-shaped channels open toward the oppositesidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle −α. As in FIG. 1, thelinear distance X between the sidewalls 16 and 18 is smaller than thewidth W of the sheet goods 12 measured along the arc that the sheetgoods assume in the display 200. The curvature of the arc is defined bythe angle α at which the U-shaped channels are situated, and the width Wof the sheet goods 12.

The two outwardly protruding arcuate walls 22 of display 200 can be usedfor advertising and brand name indicia and can also include openings 62and 64, which provide a customer with enhanced visual contact with thegoods 12 being displayed. This arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid tosemi-flaccid sheet goods 12 coupled with the perpendicular orientationof the channels 20 ensures that the sheet goods 12 can remain erect foran extended period of time while situated in the display 200. A standard74 defined by upright members 76 and 78 can be located between the twoportions 21 and 23 to support an additional sign 80 for advertising andbrand name indicia.

Another form of the display 300 is shown in FIG. 6 that is similar tothe display 10′ shown in FIG. 3, display 100 shown in FIG. 4, anddisplay 200 shown in FIG. 5. The display 300 can be made of metal tubing82 that can be welded together to define a base 14 supported on aplurality of casters 52. The base 14 can include a sheet 15 supported onthe lower tubing member 87. Sheets 68 of metal or plastic can be fixedto upper and lower tubing members 84 and 86 to help define the parallelsidewalls 16 and 18. The two outwardly protruding arcuate walls 22 aredefined by the upper and lower tubing members 85 and 87 as well as aU-shaped tubing member 88 secured to an outside portion of the arcuatewalls. A sign 90 can be coupled to the U-shaped tubing member 88 foradvertising and brand name indicia.

A first set of rods 92 can extend between the two upper tubing members84 and second set of rods 94 can extend between the two lower tubingmembers 86 to define vertical arcuate slots for receiving the sheetgoods 12. In a first portion 21, the ends of the rods 92 and 94immediately adjacent to the tubing members 84 and 86 open toward theopposite sidewall at a uniform inclined horizontal angle α, while on asecond portion 23, the ends of the rods 92 and 94 immediately adjacentto the tubing members 84 and 86 open toward the opposite sidewall at auniform inclined horizontal angle −α. As in the previous Figures, thelinear distance X between the sidewalls 16 and 18 can be smaller thanthe width W of the sheet goods 12 measured along the arc that the sheetgoods assume in the display 300. The curvature of the arc is defined bythe angle α at which the ends of the rods 92 and 94 are situated.

The open character of the tubing 82 forming the display 300 provides acustomer with enhanced visual contact with the goods 12 being displayed.This arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods12 coupled with the perpendicular orientation of the channels defined bythe sets of rods 92 and 94 ensures that the sheet goods 12 can remainerect for an extended period of time while situated in the display 300.

Another form of the display 400 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 that issimilar to display 10′, but intended to display two or more sizes ofsheet goods 12. The display 400 can include a base 14 that can bepositioned on a pallet 13 for convenient shipment and display of sheetgoods 12. A cylindrical sidewall 17 of the display 400 and of thecooperating top member 410 is uniformly spaced from a vertical axis Z.The cylindrical sidewall 17 encompasses and supports an array ofU-shaped channels 20 so that each channel 20 is perpendicular to thebase 14. The arrangement of the U-shaped channels 20 is mirror symmetricacross two planes A and B perpendicular to each other and passing thoughthe vertical axis Z. The U-shaped channels 20 on a first side of plane Aopen toward corresponding U-shaped channels 20 on the other side ofplane A at a uniform angle α, while the U-shaped channels on the otherside of the plane A open toward the channels on the first side of theplane A at a uniform angle of −α. It will be appreciated that opposingpairs of the U-shaped channels 20 are not uniformly spaced from eachother across the plane B. This non-uniform spacing facilitates theconcurrent shipment and display of two or more sizes of sheet goods 12in a single display 400.

In a preferred embodiment, the display 400 can have a height Y that maybe little more, and is preferably less, than half the height H of thesheet goods 12 to be displayed therein. The top member 410, shown inFIG. 8 to have an internal structure similar to display 400, can beinverted over the display 400 during shipment. The display 400 and topmember 410 can be secured to each other by staples, shrink-wrap,adhesive tape or other similar means. The retention of the sheet goods12 by the channels 20 in both the display 400 and top 410 duringshipment aids in the quality of appearance of the goods when displayed.Upon delivery to a retail location, the top member 410 can be quicklyremoved and the remaining display 400 is immediately ready for use atthe retail location. With the top 410 removed, this lower verticaldimension of the cylindrical sidewall 17 provides a customer with visualcontact with the goods 12 being displayed, and may facilitate theremoval of the goods 12 from the display 400. This arcuate presentationof the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods 12 coupled with theperpendicular orientation of the channels 20 ensures that the sheetgoods 12 can remain erect for an extended period of time while situatedin the display 400. The entire outside perimeter of the cylindricalsidewall 17 can be used for informative, advertising and/or brand nameindicia.

Another form of the display 500 is shown in FIGS. 9-12 that is similarin part to display 100 shown in FIG. 4. The display 500 can be made inpart of sheet metal or engineering plastics, and has a base 14 supportedon a plurality of casters 52. In a first portion of the display 500, apair of parallel sidewalls 16 and 18 extends upward from the base 14.The sidewalls 16 and 18 can include openings 54 and 56 to reduce thetotal weight of the display 100. A first set of U-shaped channels 20 canbe fixed to the top 58 and bottom 60 of each sidewall 16 and 18. Asecond set of U-shaped channels 20 can be spaced inward for thesidewalls 16 and 18. The first set of U-shaped channels 20 can be formedby a first set of rods 93 while the second set of U-shaped channels 20can be formed by a second set of rods 95. The second set of rods 91define vertical arcuate slots for receiving the sheet goods 12 which arenarrower that the arcuate slots defined by the first set of rods 93. Asin the previous Figures, the linear distance X between the sets ofU-shaped channels can be smaller than the width W of the sheet goods 12measured along the arc that the sheet goods assume in the display 500.The curvature of the arc is defined by the angle α at which the ends ofthe rods 93 and 95 are situated.

The first portion of the display 500 has an outwardly protruding arcuatewall 22 coupled to the opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and 18. Thearcuate wall 22 can be used for advertising and brand name indicia andcan also include openings 62 and 64, which reduce the overall weight ofthe display 500. The openings 62 and 64 provide a customer with enhancedvisual contact with the goods 12 being displayed, and upper opening 62may facilitate the removal of the goods 12 from the display 500. Thisarcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods 12coupled with the perpendicular orientation of the channels 20 ensuresthat the sheet goods 12 can remain erect for an extended period of timewhile situated in the display 500.

The display 500 can also include a second portion having at least oneC-shaped standard 95 having a lower end 96 and an upper end 97. Ahorizontal rod 98 can be fixed to the upper ends 96 to couple the upperends 96 together so that another array 19 of sheet goods 12 can besuspended from the horizontal rod 98. The lower ends 96 of the C-shapedstandards 95 can project under the suspended array 19 and can includeadditional casters 52 to support the weight of the suspended array 19.The horizontal rod 98 can be bowed outwardly away from the first portionof the display 500 to facilitate the selection of the goods.

Another form of the display 600 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 that issimilar in part to display 500 shown in FIGS. 9-12. The display 600 canbe made in part of sheet metal or engineering plastics, and has a base14 supported on a plurality of casters 52. A pair of parallel sidewalls16 and 18 extends upward from the base 14. The sidewalls 16 and 18 caninclude openings 54, 55, and 56 to reduce the total weight of thedisplay 600. In a first portion of the display 600, a first set ofU-shaped channels 20 can be fixed to the top 58 and bottom 60 of eachsidewall 16 and 18. A second set of U-shaped channels 20 can be spacedinward for the sidewalls 16 and 18. The first set of U-shaped channels20 can be formed by a first set of rods 93 while the second set ofU-shaped channels 20 can be formed by a second set of rods 91. Thesecond set of rods 91 define vertical arcuate slots for receiving thesheet goods 12 which are narrower that the arcuate slots defined by thefirst set of rods 93. As in the previous figures, the linear distance Xbetween the sets of U-shaped channels can be smaller than the width W ofthe sheet goods 12 measured along the arc that the sheet goods assume inthe first portion of the display 600. The curvature of the arc isdefined by the angle α at which the ends of the rods 93 and 91 aresituated.

The first portion of the display 600 has an outwardly protruding arcuatewall 22 coupled to the opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and 18. Asecond portion of the display 600 can be formed by a linear wall 25coupled to the sidewalls 16 and 18 opposite to the arcuate wall 22. Asupport 27 is positioned on the base 14 between the sidewalls 16 and 18so as to be inclined toward the linear wall 25. A plurality of sheetgoods 12 can be displayed on the inclined support 27. The arcuate wall22 and the linear wall 25 can be used for advertising and brand nameindicia and can also include openings 62 and 64, which reduce theoverall weight of the display 600. The openings 62 and 64 provide acustomer with enhanced visual contact with the goods 12 being displayed,and upper opening 62 may facilitate the removal of the goods 12 from thedisplay 600. The arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccidsheet goods 12 in the first portion of the display 600 coupled with theperpendicular orientation of the channels 20 ensures that the sheetgoods 12 can remain erect for an extended period of time. The inclineddisplay of alternative goods 12 in the second section of display 600 canprovide the customer with a wider range of goods on a single display.

Another form of the display 700 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 that issimilar in part to display 600 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The display 700can be made in part of sheet metal or engineering plastics, and has abase 14 supported on a plurality of casters 52. A pair of parallelsidewalls 16 and 18 extends upward from the base 14. The sidewalls 16and 18 can include openings 54, and 56 to reduce the total weight of thedisplay 700. The first portion of the display 700 can be constructednearly identical to display 600. A first set of U-shaped channels 20 canbe fixed to the top 58 and bottom 60 of each sidewall 16 and 18. Asecond set of U-shaped channels 20 can be spaced inward for thesidewalls 16 and 18. The first set of U-shaped channels 20 can be formedby a first set of rods 93 while the second set of U-shaped channels 20can be formed by a second set of rods 91. The second set of rods 91define vertical arcuate slots for receiving the sheet goods 12 which arenarrower that the arcuate slots defined by the first set of rods 93. Asin the previous figures, the linear distance X between the sets ofU-shaped channels can be smaller than the width W of the sheet goods 12measured along the arc that the sheet goods assume in the first portionof display 700. The curvature of the arc can be defined by the angle αat which the ends of the rods 93 and 91 are situated.

The first portion of the display 700 has an outwardly protruding arcuatewall 22 coupled to the opposite ends of the sidewalls 16 and 18. Asecond portion of the display 700 can be formed with a horizontalplatform 71 located opposite to the arcuate wall 22 that can be coupledto the sidewalls 16 and 18. The horizontal platform 71 can be supportedon gussets 73 extending outward from a wall 75 extending between thesidewalls 16 and 18. The base 22 of the display 700 can extend under thehorizontal platform 71. An additional support 77 can extend upward froma rearward end 79 of the base 22 to the horizontal platform 71. Aplurality of sheet goods 12 can be displayed on the horizontal platform71.

The arcuate wall 22 can be used for advertising and brand name indiciaand can also include openings 62 and 64, which reduce the overall weightof the display 700. The openings 62 and 64 provide a customer withenhanced visual contact with the goods 12 being displayed, and upperopening 62 may facilitate the removal of the goods 12 from the display700. The arcuate presentation of the semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheetgoods 12 in the first portion of the display 700 coupled with theperpendicular orientation of the channels 20 ensures that the sheetgoods 12 can remain erect for an extended period of time. The horizontaldisplay of alternative goods 12 in the second section of display 700 canprovide the customer with a wider range of goods on a single display.

While these features have been disclosed in connection with theillustrated preferred embodiments, other embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that come within the spiritof the invention as defined in the following claims.

1. A display for semi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods of uniformwidth, the display comprising: a base, a pair of parallel sidewallsfixed to the base and spaced from each other by a distance smaller thanthe width of the sheet goods, a plurality of channels fixed to eachsidewall perpendicular to the base so as to point toward the othersidewall at an inclined angle such that one of the sheet goods can bereceived between opposing pairs of the channels when curved in an arc,the ends of the arc being defined by the angle of the channels.
 2. Thedisplay of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate first wall couplingthe pair of sidewalls to each other.
 3. The display of claim 2, furthercomprising a second wall coupling the pair of sidewalls to each other,the second wall being spaced from the first wall.
 4. The display ofclaim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second walls has avertical dimension that is smaller than the sheet goods verticaldimension when the sheet goods are received between opposing pairs ofthe channels.
 5. The display of claim 1 or 4, further comprising atleast one row of upwardly opening U-shaped supports on the base, eachupwardly opening U-shaped support being adapted to receive a lower edgeof one of the sheet goods.
 6. A display for semi-rigid to semi-flaccidsheet goods, the display comprising: a base, a pair of sidewalls fixedto the base and extending vertically upward from the base, a pluralityof members fixed to each sidewall defining slots perpendicular to thebase, each slot being dimensioned to receive one of the sheet goods whenthe goods are curved in an arc, the curvature of the arc being definedby the angle between the plurality of members and the sidewall, theplurality of members being arranged in two sets defining arcs bowingoutward from a center portion of the display located midway between thesidewalls.
 7. The display of claim 6, further comprising arcuate firstand second walls spaced from each other, bowing away from the centerportion of the display and coupling the sidewalls to each other.
 8. Thedisplay of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second arcuatewalls has a vertical dimension that is smaller than the sheet goodsvertical dimension when the sheet goods are received.
 9. The display ofclaim 7, wherein each of the first and second arcuate walls, and thesidewalls comprise sheet metal, and a plurality of fasteners fasten thewalls together at overlapping coupling points.
 10. The display of claim6, further comprising a plurality of casters fixed to the base tofacilitate movement of the display from one location to another.
 11. Thedisplay of claim 6, wherein the sidewalls supporting the slot definingmembers form a single sidewall having cylindrical surface uniformlyspaced from a vertical axis, the slots being arranged in double mirrorsymmetry about the vertical axis.
 12. The display of claim 11, whereinthe base comprises a pallet.
 13. The display of claim 6, furthercomprising at least one standard extending upward from the base to anupper end, and a horizontal rod fixed to the at least one standardupward end.
 14. The display of claim 6, further comprising an inclinedsupport fixed to the base and a wall coupled to the sidewalls to facethe inclined support.
 15. The display of claim 6, further comprising ahorizontal platform coupled between the sidewalls and supported abovethe base.
 16. The display of claim 13, further comprising a plurality ofhangers coupled to the horizontal rod for suspending additional goodsfor display.
 17. The display of claim 13, wherein the at least onestandard comprises a pair of C-shaped standards, and a caster coupled toa lower end of each of the C-shaped standards.
 18. A display forsemi-rigid to semi-flaccid sheet goods, the display comprising: a base,a pair of sidewalls fixed to the base and extending vertically upwardfrom the base, a plurality of members fixed to each sidewall definingslots perpendicular to the base, each slot being dimensioned to receiveone of the sheet goods when the goods are curved in an arc, and a seconddisplay area for displaying a second set of sheet goods where the sheetgoods are maintained in a substantially planar configuration.
 19. Thedisplay of claim 18, wherein the second set of sheet goods is suspendedfrom a horizontal member coupled to at least one standard fixed to thebase.
 20. The display of claim 18, wherein the second set of sheet goodsis supported on an underlying surface that is elevated above the baseand horizontally arranged in at least one direction.